Internal Controls Manager; FTC) Finance Warwickshire

Hybrid working with 1-2 days spent at our Support Centre and 3-4 days working from home. This role is a fixed term contract and would require someone for an immediate start with us.

We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works
. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion,
it all starts with you.

The Internal Controls Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of The Works' business-wide internal controls framework. The role will play a key part in strengthening the Group's governance environment and supporting the Group's journey towards compliance with (the value-adding elements of) the UK Corporate Governance Code Provision 29.

Acting as the central coordinator for internal controls across the business, you will work with stakeholders across Finance, Retail, Distribution, IT, People and Commercial teams to identify key risks, design and document controls, perform testing activities, and drive remediation of control weaknesses.

The role will also serve as the primary point of contact for the Group's third-party Internal Audit provider, coordinating audit activity, managing stakeholder engagement, reviewing audit outputs, tracking management actions and reporting progress to senior management and the Audit Committee.

This is a highly visible role requiring a self-starter who is organised, proactive, detail-oriented and capable of influencing stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.

• Lead the development and maintenance of The Works' business-wide internal controls framework.
• Support the Group's progression towards compliance with UK Corporate Governance Code Provision 29.
• Own, develop and maintain the Group's Risk and Control Matrix (RACM), ensuring coverage of key financial and operational risks.
• Identify control gaps and work with process owners to design and implement effective mitigating controls.
• Develop, document and maintain financial policies, control standards, process documentation and operating procedures.
• Deliver a structured programme of controls testing and monitoring across key business processes.
• Track, report and drive resolution of identified control deficiencies.
• Maintain oversight of management actions arising from internal audit reviews, external audit findings and other assurance activities.
• Act as the primary relationship manager for the Group's outsourced Internal Audit provider.
• Coordinate annual and ad hoc internal audit plans, ensuring audits are delivered efficiently and to schedule.
• Review audit reports and recommendations, ensuring findings are practical, understood and appropriately challenged where necessary.
• Facilitate agreement of management actions with business stakeholders and monitor timely implementation.
• Prepare status updates, reporting and papers for senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Support major business transformation and ERP implementation projects by embedding robust controls and governance from the outset.
• Promote a strong controls culture across the organisation through coaching, training and stakeholder engagement, ensuring work is appropriate and value adding.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process redesign, automation and enhanced system controls.